Law Career Convention 2011

INTERVIEW: TIPS AND TRICKS

2011-11-17T01:03:00.000-08:00

Hello all,

As the Law Career Convention 2011 is drawing near, we suppose that many of you would be (or should be) preparing for a possible attachment/pupillage interview. Here are some useful links on interviews which we believe would help you nail an internship/chambering spot with your desired firm, or if not, at least assist you to make a good and lasting impression on the firms. (Tips from Paul Subramaniam and Mr Choon during the CV & Interview Workshops will be included.)

TYPES OF INTERVIEWS

Different firms conduct their interviews in different ways. If you can, do ask friends or seniors on how the interviews are conducted so you can be well prepared before the D-day. During the interviews, you can expect:

Written tests
Personality tests
Research skills tests
Formal interviews
Informal interviews
Interviews with a panel

SAMPLE INTERVIEW QUESTIONS:

http://thepupillagepages.com/index.php?cat_id=14#2

http://www.uwe.ac.uk/careers/resources/occupations/Sample%20pupillage%20interview%20questions.PDF

http://www.kent.ac.uk/careers/interviews/ivlaw.htm

Paul’s Tips

If you can, tell the interviewer(s) what you have that no other trainee does.You can make an impression by telling the firm what you can do for the firm.

HOW TO PREPARE FOR THE INTERVIEW

http://www.guardian.co.uk/law/2011/jan/21/law-rupert-myers-barrister-pupillage-interviews

http://targetjobs.co.uk/career-sectors/law-barristers/applications-and-interviews/how-to-prepare-for-your-pupillage-intervie

Paul’s Tips:

Prepare to have something to talk about - eg: Current news, current changes to the law, controversial case, current event/conference you've attended etc...

HOW TO PRESENT YOURSELF DURING THE INTERVIEW

http://thepupillagepages.com/index.php?cat_id=14#1

http://www.legalassistantprogram.net/how-to-ace-your-legal-assistant-interview

Paul’s Tips:

Be yourself. Be honest, enthusiastic, engaging and sincere. Do not be uptight.

Mr Choon's Tips:

Have a firm handshake.
Express yourself - be ready to talk, ask questions and express interest.
Do not be swayed by misleading arguments given by the interviewer. Sometimes, they are testing your ability to stand your ground.

QUESTIONS YOU CAN ASK

http://www.kent.ac.uk/careers/intervw.htm#Ask

Paul’s Tips:

If the firm makes you an offer, there is no harm asking how much time you have to get back to the firm. (If you are not sure whether you want to take the offer, make sure you do NOT accept it only to cancel your acceptance later on. That would give a very bad impression of yourself on the firm)

If you did not get an offer, you are perfectly entitled to ask the firm how you did during the interview so you could improve in the next interview(s) you have.

If you have forgotten to ask or tell the interviewer something during the interview itself, it is perfectly fine to let them know later on via email.

We hope you'll find these tips and tricks useful and we wish you the VERY BEST OF LUCK in acing all your interviews!!!

CV & INTERVIEW WORKSHOP by PAUL SUBRAMANIAM (of ZICOlaw)

2011-11-12T23:36:00.000-08:00

On Friday, 11 November 2011, we invited Paul Subramanian who is the Knowledge Management & Training Partner of Zaid Ibrahim & Co (also known as ZICOlaw), to advise the Year 1 and Year 2 LLB Law students in Taylor's University College (Lakeside Campus) on how to write a CV and how to nail an interview.

Paul has practiced litigation for 22 years. Now, he plays a salient role in the firm by updating lawyers and partners of ZICO with the changes in the law and its industry as well as training them with the knowledge and skills necessary to best serve their clients. Besides that, Paul has a vast experience in interviewing and screening candidates to work in ZICOlaw. Therefore, his advice and tips on CV writing and how to sail through an interview should be highly valued. (These advice and tips will be posted in the next post.)

Paul, showing off his good looks in 2 enlarged photos of himself. :)

The Workshop was lively and interactive, with each student being given a workbook to fill in their details following the template of a standard CV. Paul also told the eager students to write down in their workbooks how they see themselves in 10 years. He hoped that at this early stage, the students would be able to set down their career paths and focus their studies, curricular activities and work experiences towards achieving the plan they had in mind.


The enthusiastic young generation, ferociously writing down their ambitions.

We'd like to thank Paul Subramaniam again for taking the time off his very busy schedule and for his tireless efforts in guiding the law students on how to prepare for their future career paths. We hope that the students found this Workshop useful and would begin to start typing out their CVs and to keep Paul's tips in mind every time. We are very pleased with the turnout and active participation of the students during the Workshop!

Isaac Cheah (middle) and Edmund Chek of KPUM and UMLS respectively, handing Paul a crystal trophy as token of appreciation for a brilliant Workshop.

MORE ROADSHOWS AT UKM, UIA AND KDU.

2011-11-12T05:21:00.000-08:00

Hello all,

The LCC 2011 team will be on the road once again and are making their way to your school! Lookout for the LCC 2011 poster and our smartly dressed team with their laptops ready to register your names and store your CVs.

Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM)

Date: Monday, 14 November 2011
Time: 2.00pm

KDU College

Date: Thursday, 17 November 2011

Time: 1.00pm

Universiti Islam Antarabangsa (UIA), Gombak

Date: Thursday, 17 November 2011

Time: (To be confirmed)

***Remember to bring along your CVs (in soft copy) or email them to cv.lcc2011@gmail.com!

Poster to lookout for:

MMU MELAKA CAMPUS ROADSHOW, 8 NOVEMBER 2011

2011-11-10T07:10:00.000-08:00

WHAT WE DID

The team distributed flyers to promote the LCC 2011 and explained the importance of handing in their CVs to the participating firms if they wanted the opportunity of getting internships or chambering spots.

Besides that, the team also held brief talks in the Auditorium to promote the LCC 2011 to the students.

THE RESPONSE

A total of 70 law students registered.

LOOKOUT FOR THE NEXT ROADSHOW AT...

Universiti Islam Antarabangsa, Gombak

Date: Thursday, 17 November 2011

Time: (To be confirmed)

Remember to bring along your CVs (in soft copy) or email them to cv.lcc2011@gmail.com!

HOW TO WRITE A COVER LETTER, CV / RESUME (LINKS AND TIPS)

2011-11-06T05:30:00.000-08:00

Here are some useful links on how to write a cover letter, CV or resume specifically for mini-pupillages/internships and pupillages.

COVERING LETTERS

· How to points: http://www.kent.ac.uk/careers/cv/coveringletters.htm

· Standard template: http://www.esqresume.com/article/basic-format-attorney-cover-letter.html

SAMPLES:

· http://www.bestcoverletters.com/sample-cover-letter/Legal/Resume-Cover-Letter.html

· Mini-pupillages/Internships: http://www.kent.ac.uk/careers/cv/covletpupillage.htm

· Pupillages: http://www.kent.ac.uk/careers/cv/covletFullPupillage.htm

http://docs.google.com/viewer?a=v&q=cache:SYRrAggzpBIJ:www.oxbridgetrainingcontracts.com/examples/Pupillage-Cover-Letter.pdf+%22cover+letter%22+%22pupillage%22&hl=en&gl=my&pid=bl&srcid=ADGEESgY9TYsCMH0UIe65TcQb0kBMXLC84pLH90pzRI5TDpumH7KwcbyvklkXrQrWzWQXrC7avf_AHdTnFbyzm6w84fZssMSmk3NlbndGGT18VG6TrbZoUdIe8OoLtKCkatd2TPFPIcC&sig=AHIEtbTjg3JJxjqFuBrmDh4YcMIHt3jebQ&pli=1

Mr Choon’s tips:

1) 1) Address it to the CORRECT FIRM (always check, check check!)

2) 2) Write the POSITION you are applying for (pupillage, attachment, paralegal)

3) 3) Be SINCERE in praising the firm. Do not overdo it.

4) 4) Be CLEAR

5) 5) Keep it short and sweet

CV/RESUME

· How to: http://www.edgecvs.com/resume.html

· Checklist: http://www.kent.ac.uk/careers/cv/cv-checklist.htm

SAMPLES:

· http://www.kent.ac.uk/careers/cv/cvexamples.htm

· http://www.alec.co.uk/cvtips/examstcv.htm

· http://www.118student.co.uk/student-careers/student-cv-template.html

· http://www.allaboutlaw.co.uk/index.php/applications-and-interviews/cvs/law-cv-template/

· Mini-pupillages/Internsips: http://www.kent.ac.uk/careers/cv/pupillagecv.htm

· Pupillages: http://www.kent.ac.uk/careers/cv/pupillagecv.htm

1) Mr Choon’s tips:

Objectives

When writing a Cover Letter, CV or Resume, always keep in mind these 2 objectives:

a) ATTRACT the reader to gain a GOOD IMPRESSION of you.

b) Give the reader a REASON why he should OFFER you an interview.

Personal Details

a) Include only SUFFICIENT DETAIL .Do not write your life story.

b) MUST include telephone number (for ease of contact).

c) MAY include photograph of yourself (as preferred by Mr Choon). If you are attaching one, it should be CLEAR and DECENT (no pictures taken at a party or with peace signs)

d) Include a PROPER and DECENT email address (not bestlawyerintown@hotmail.com)

Education / Academic Qualifications:

a) MUST include a full account of your grades. Do not only state the number of As obtained. Include your Bs, Cs etc... Eventually, the interviewer would find out through your transcripts so there is nothing you can hide.

b) If you have obtained exceptional results (1^st Class Honours, Distinction, Outstanding) you SHOULD state them.

Curricular Activities / Work Experiences

a) Include positions and experiences which ADD VALUE to your CV (Does it tell the reader something more about yourself? Does it bring out your good character?)

b) Be HONEST. An experience interviewer can easily spot a liar.

FINALLY, CHECK IF IT LOOKS…

1) Neat

2) Professional

3) Clear and concise

REMEMBER, A GOOD CV WILL GAIN YOU 2 THINGS:

1) An interview

2) A head-start at interview

Good luck!

*** If you are interested in sending your CVs and Resumes to the participating law firms at the Law Careers Convention 2011 held on 19 November 2011, kindly forward them to cv.lcc2011@gmail.com and specify the position you are applying for.

CV WORKSHOP, 17 OCTOBER 2011

2011-11-06T05:12:00.000-08:00

CV WORKSHOP, 17 OCT 2011

On Monday 17 October 2011, we were privileged to have Mr Choon Hon Leng from Raja, Darryl & Loh (RDL), to speak to us at the CV Workshop held by the Law Society of Universiti Malaya in conjunction with KPUM. Mr Choon is in fact the Recruitment Partner of RDL and has therefore read, and analyzed a multitude of CV’s and interviewed a good deal of applicants. During the talk, he advised the audience on WHAT TO and WHAT NOT TO write in a Cover Letter, CV and Resume as well as tips on etiquette during an interview.

UMLS Treasurer, Miss Karen Yong introducing our speaker, Mr Choon and UM's senior student, Mr Affendi

Mr Choon, giving great pointers on CV writing

UMLS and KPUM Presidents presenting Mr Choon a token of appreciation to Mr Choon for an excellent talk!

A very happy and well informed audience.

*** Mr Choon's tips on CV writing and interview etiquettes will be published in the next few posts!

UiTM ROADSHOW, 3 NOVEMBER 2011

2011-11-04T00:50:00.000-07:00

WHAT WE DID

The team distributing flyers in the Seminar Rooms.

Besides that, the team also held brief talks in the Auditorium and Seminar Rooms to promote the LCC 2011 to the students.

Students, listening intently to the brief in the Auditorium

Briefing in the Seminar Rooms

THE RESPONSE

Again, we had an impressive total of 108 law students who registered.

LOOKOUT FOR THE NEXT ROADSHOWS AT...

Inti Nilai

Date: Tuesday, 8 November 2011

Place: Empty space above Cafeteria

Time: 11am – 3pm

Multimedia University (MMU, Melaka Campus)

Date: Tuesday, 8 November 2011

Time: 11am – 3pm

Remember to bring along your CVs or email them to cv.lcc2011@gmail.com!

UNIVERSITI MALAYA ROADSHOW, 31 OCTOBER 2011

2011-11-04T00:21:00.000-07:00

WHAT WE DID
The team distributed flyers promoting the LCC 2011 and encouraged students to send in their CVs to the participating firms to claim their spot for internships and pupillages.

Take a flyer! Take a flyer!

"...and that's why you should send in your CVs!"

THE RESPONSE
An impressive number of 100 law students from Years 1 to 4 registered.

LOOKOUT FOR THE NEXT ROADSHOWS AT...

Inti Nilai

Date: Tuesday, 8 November 2011

Place: Empty space above Cafeteria

Time: 11am – 3pm

Multimedia University (MMU, Melaka Campus)

Date: Tuesday, 8 November 2011

Time: 11am – 3pm

Remember to bring along your CVs or email them to cv.lcc2011@gmail.com!

FIRST BATCH OF CVs SENT OUT

2011-11-03T07:10:00.000-07:00

Hey all,

We have already sent out our first batch of CVs to the participating firms yesterday. Some of the applicants have already received offers for interviews. Hence, we strongly urge you to submit your CVs to us ASAP so you won't lose out on the opportunity to get an interview with your selected firms.

We will be sending out the next batch of CVs NEXT TUESDAY, 8TH NOVEMBER. Please send your CVs by email to cv.lcc2011@gmail.com.

Thank you!

Hurry people, hurry!

MORE ROADSHOWS IN KDU AND UITM (SHAH ALAM)

2011-10-31T23:42:00.000-07:00

Hey guys, keep a lookout for the LCC 2011 team at your College and University!

KDU
Date: 3 November 2011
Time: 12.00 pm

UITM, Shah Alam
Date: 3 November 2011
Time: 2.00 pm

See you there!

*** Remember that you can bring your CVs in soft copy, pass it to any LCC 2011 team members and they'll help you send it to all participating firms! Hurry before you lose the opportunity for an interview!

HELP UNIVERSITY COLLEGE ROADSHOW, 22 OCTOBER 2011

2011-10-29T09:15:00.000-07:00

WHAT WE DID

The team held a promotional talk at the Lecture Theatre 2.3 to an audience of 220 LLB students.

President of KPUM, Issac Cheah briefing the students on the LCC 2011

THE RESPONSE

A total of 58 Year 2 LLB students registered.

The long...long..queue of enthusiastic students!

LOOK OUT FOR THE NEXT ROADSHOW AT...

Inti Nilai

Date: Tuesday, 8 November 2011

Place: Empty space above Cafeteria

Time: 11am – 3pm

Remember to bring along your CVs or email them to cv.lcc2011@gmail.com!

BRICKFIELDS ASIA COLLEGE ROADSHOW, 20 & 22 OCTOBER 2011

2011-10-29T08:46:00.000-07:00

WHAT WE DID

The team distributed flyers, met and had individual talks with scattered groups of students before and after class and during class breaks. Those who registered received free samples of Cover Letters and CVs.

THE RESPONSE

No. of people who registered

Thursday, 20 October: 39 (Y1 & 2 LLB and A-Levels)

Saturday, 22 October: 101 (CLP)

*** We would like to convey our thanks and gratitude to Mr. Jothi for allowing the UMLS-KPUM team to promote the LCC 2011 and put up posters at the premise.

LOOK OUT FOR THE NEXT ROADSHOW AT...

Inti Nilai

Date: Tuesday, 8 November 2011

Place: Empty space above Cafeteria

Time: 11am – 3pm

Remember to bring along your CVs or email them to cv.lcc2011@gmail.com!

THE LCC 2011 TEAM IS ON THE ROAD!

2011-10-29T08:26:00.000-07:00

Besides apprising the students of the upcoming Law Career Convention 2011, we want to encourage all law students to start thinking of their future and consider applying for pupilage or attachments with the participating law firms.

We strongly encourage any students who wish to chamber or intern with the participating law firms to have their CVs ready and hand them to our team during these road shows or if you need more time to polish up your CVs, email them to cv.lcc2011@gmail.com. If you send your CVs to us, we will help you send them to all the participating law firms and you would save carrying a bundle of CVs to the LCC 2011 to distribute to each and every firm!

Those who wish to keep updated on the LCC 2011 as well as future similar events you may register your names and contact details with us. Look out for the LCC 2011 poster and our team will be nearby smartly dressed with flyers, laptops and friendly smiles! By the way, registration is FREE with absolutely no terms and conditions applied!

The poster to lookout for:

THE LCC 2011 ROADSHOW SCHEDULE

Brickfields Asia College

Date: Thursday & Saturday, 20 & 22 October 2011

Place: 3^rd Floor, Outside seminar rooms

Time: 10am – 2pm (Thur),10 am – 4pm (Sat)

HELP University College

Date: Saturday, 22 October 2011

Place: 7^th Floor, Meeting Room

Time: 11am and 12pm (Intro of LCC),

Inti Nilai

Date: Tuesday, 8 November 2011

Place: Empty space above Cafeteria

Time: 11am – 3pm

Taylor’s University College

Pending decision.

We look forward to seeing you!

THE LAW CAREER CONVENTION 2011, 19 NOVEMBER 2011

2011-09-21T23:46:00.001-07:00